System of hydraulic control for intensifiers and the like



H. P. L. LAUSSUCQ, SYSTEM OF HYDRAULIC CONTROL FOR INTENSIFIERS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION F-ILED MAR. 17. 1919.

Patanted Dec. 14-, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET I- H. P. L. LAUSSUCQ, SYSTEM OF HYDRAULIC CONTROL FOR INTENSIFIERS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MARCH. 1919.

1,362,253. Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Vl/Y'Tneascs:- Im/enmn- H. P. L. LAUSSUCQ, SYSTEM OF HYDRAULIC CONTROL FOR INTENSIFIE'RS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17. 1919.

1,862,253, Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

VWTflessem- I m enforji nr/k'l errezaumnflaussuc Parser c erics.

HENRI P. L. LAUSSUCQ, OF CAMDEN, NEl/V JERSEY, ASSIGNOB. T HEULINGS LIPPIN- COTT'AND ALFRED J. MAJOR, AS RECEIVERS 0F CAMDEN IRON WORKS, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SYsTEM OF HYDRAULIC CONTROL FOR INTENSIFIERS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

Application filed March 17, 1919. Serial No. 283,190.

To all 1072 0971 it may concern Be it known that I, HENRI P. L. LenssUco, a citizen of the United States, residing at 1426 Baird avenue, Camden, in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey,

have invented a certain new and useful System of Hydraulic Control for lntensifiers and the like, of which the following'is a specification.

My invention relates to hydraulic machinery of the "class generally fed by intensifiers. in which different pressures are required. These pressures are usually obtained. by actuation of a single cylinder, two cylinders on opposite sides of it, or all three cylinders, at will, from available accumulator pressure. Other sets or combinations of cylinders follow the same general law and will be considered here as equivalents of the above 3-cylinder arrangement and hence as embraced herein.

One purpose of my invention is to make the speed of operation uniform whatever the number of cylinders being operated.

A. further piurpose is to reduce the number of pistons upon which the pressure is applied when actuating a smaller number of cylinders than the full number.

A further purpose is to provide pilot valves for the selection of the valves (and cylinders) to be actuated and to applyand exhaust the fluid for operation of these aotuating valves by means of a master pilot valve.

It. further purpose is to improve the control of the valve by which the intensifier cylinders are selectively operated.

A further purpose is to proportionthe size oi the main or actuating valves used for direction of the water into the intensifier ylinders, according to the actual quantity of water required for the cylinders.

A. further purpose is to predetermine the intended operation by interconnected pilot 45 valves and to carry it out by a master pilot valve. none of which need be subject to the main operating pressure.

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

it have preferred to illustrate my inven- Lion by but oneform thereof, selecting one which in use has proved to be practical. highly efiicient and thoroughly reliable and which at the same time well illustrates the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the application of my invention to an intensiiier having a group of three low pressure cylinders.

' Figure l lis a side elevation of a portion ofFig. 1, true of either the pair of distributing pilot valves or of the master or controlling pilot valve.

Figs. Q'and 3 are central longitudinal sections through any pilot valve and either operating valve, respectively.

In the drawings similar numerals-indicate like parts.

The keynotes of the present invention are ease and reliability of operationand proportioning of the pressure or operating valves to the quantity of water intended to be passed through them.

This invention is intended for multiple power hydraulic systems, such as plate shears, bending presses, etc., where an intensifier is adapted to operate at different pressures by the use with three cylinders, for example, of the central cylinder alone, the outer two cylinders alone, or the three cylinders together at will. As such machinery is well known and is on the market, I deem it unnecessary to illustrate the complete machinery and have contented myself with illustration of the cylinders, with outline indication of some of the more closely re lated parts, and the connections by which they are operated.

As there are evidently various Ways in which the principles'of my inventionmay be utilized, other'than the one shown, I shall explain the invention by the illustration given, but by way of illustration and not limitation.

Referring, then, to Fig. 1:the master pilot A is shown as receiving operating fluidwater under pressure from any accumulator or other source through inlet A, and discharging, usually to a sewer, through eX- haust A It is manually operated by a lever arm A, connected with the body of the valve at an intermediate point-by a link A,

and operating the valve piston by end connection therewith.

The inlet fluid pressure may be applied through outlets, more fully hereinafter described, to either or both of'two connections D and D which afford inlet fluid-waterpressure supply at A, and A for two cooperating pilot valves A and A which I term distributing pilot valves, since their positions determine which of the low pressure intensifier cylinders is or are to be operated. These valves areprovided with ex" haust A and A3 and the fluid inlet pressure in each of these can, similarly, be ap-- plied to either or both of two outlets as in the case of pilot valve A. In fact the three pilot valves may be, and in the illustration are, identical in constuction and in size.

The outlets from one of the two pilot valves,'A and A are connected with corresponding ends of two operating valves B and B, the outlets from the other distribut ing pilot valve being connected to-the opposite ends of these two operating valves. Each connection from a distributing pilot valve outlet to an operating valve is branched to enter the operating valve at two different points for reasons which will appear later These connections are indicated by pipes E F anc. E, F and there. are branches at E 15,; F F E,, E,; F F respectvely.

The operating main valves B and B though differing from the pilot valves, are identical, the one with the other, except in size ,the operating valve B being intended to supply pressure to and exhaust from one cylinder only, the central cylinder 0, through a pipe 0, whereas the operating valve B is intended to supply pressure to and exhaust from two cylinders, on opposite sides of C, shown at C and C reached through piping c, 0 0 B therefore is designed to supply and exhaust twice as much water as B.

The operating valves are provided with inlets B5 and B, and with exhaust connections B and B respectively, which communicate with the main accumulator pressure supply and with sewer connections respectively.

The cylinders C, C and C shown are intended to be typical of low pressure intensifier cylinders intended to be used singly or together to effect the same high pressure system. The three cylinders with other valve control and valves for accumulator supply are well knownand need no description for those familiar with this art. However, their application may be briefly explained in part by stating that the pistons i, 6', G of the three cylinders are connected to a common cross head H to which are connected the pistons, I, I; I,'I of one or more, here four high pressure cylinders which are when four are used, connected in diagonal pairs to piping J, J leading to the two operating cylinders of a shear, bending press or other piece of hydraulic apparatus.

In order that the connections and operation of the embodiment of my invention shown may be clearly understood, I will proceed to describe the valves used, taking up first that used at A, A and A The body 10 is provided with inlets 11 and exhaust 12, the former connecting, according to the use of the valve, with the in letpipe A, or with the distributing pipes D or D from the valve A, asthe case may be. The exhaust is connected with the interior 7 of the valve by means of the branched passages 13, 13, and, exteriorly, usually empties into the sewer.

From the center toward each end, the parts of the valve are substantial duplicates at one end of those at the other, differing therefrom in the fact that at the open (left) end the piston 14- passes through a gland in a stui'ling box 16 formed in the end of a fitting 17, whereas at the opposite end the lace of these several parts is taken by a cap 17. It will be noted that the fitting and cap can be reversed and that the link A, can be attached to any of the four ears shown giving great flexibility of application and permitting reversal of direction of operation of the lever for the direction of piston movement intended.

The inlet communicates with an annular channel 18, which communicates with the interior of the valve through apertures 19, 1.9 on opposite sides of the center in a bushing 20. This bushing is insertible from the right to a point where a flange 21 on the bushing engages a cooperating shoulder in the interior bore of the valve. The opposite end may then be peened, as at 22, so as to clench it against the edge of an enlarged bore, forming a shoulder at this point.

In the intermediate positions of the valve piston, (that shown in the figures) a packing 23 lies between the two openings 19 and 19 and is held in position upon thepiston by bosses 2 24,- of sleeves 25-, 25. The sleeves are retained by engagement at one end with a shoulder 26 upon the piston rod, and by a nut 27 at the opposite end.

The sleeves are threaded at their ends at 28,28 to carry cylindrical shells 29, 29, which are shown as duplicates at the two ends and. are provided with oppositely extending cylindrical cups 30, 31 and 30, 31. Of these the cups 31, 31 are facing toward the center and provide interior annular chambers 82, 32 which are open at the ends at 33, 33. Near the ends of these annular recesses farthest from the openings, T pro vide ports 84, 34 for a purpose hereinafter explained.

.Jlxcept for the ports 34, 34, the sleeves 29, 29 present unbroken external sealing surfaces. In the form shown the extensions 30, are utilized for this function only, whereas both the exterior and the interior passages or channels of cups 31, 31 are employed.

At one end of the piston stroke, the left end as shown, the movement of the piston is limited by abutment of the end 35, of the cup 80 with the end 36 of the space within the valve, or by abutment of the end 37 of a cylindrical boss carried by fitting i? with the interior 40 of the cup 30. At the opposite end of the movement of the valve, the stroke is limited by abutment of the nut 27 with the interior of the cap 17 Opposite ends of the bore of the valve provide annular chambers 41, 41 communicating with spaces 42 and 42' and always in communication with the open ends 33 and 33 of the cups 31 and 31'. These annular chambers 41, 41 terminate at or near shoulders 43, 43 against which annular flanged rings 44 and 44 abut. The cylindrical extensions 45 of these fiangedrings engage with packing 46, 46 which is pressed against the rings by the ends 47 and 47 of the fitting 17 and of the cap 17 respectively, so as to retain this packing in position to engage the exterior surfaces of the two sleeves 29, 29, e. the exterior surfaces of the bodies of the sleeves and of the extensions 30, 31 and 30, 31 respectively) sealing at all times against these exterior surfaces.

Within the fitting 17 and the cap 17 are annular spaces 48, 48 communicating with the exhaust branches 13, 13 respectively through passages 49, 49.

From the above description, it will be evident that in the neutral or central piston position shown, the water from the inlet 11 is free to pass through the passages 19, and 19 respectively into the annular spaces 42, 42 and 41, 4-1 respectively, which directly connect the outlets 50 and 50.

Though the spaces 42, 42 and 41, 41 communicate through the open cup ends 33, 33 with the annular spaces 32, 32 and the apertures 34, 34' thereof, they are cut off from the exhaust in each. direction by the packing 46, 46.

The outlets 50 and 50 are thus under continuous pressure in the neutral piston position. In valve A they communicate with the pipes D and D respectively and in the valves A and A they communicate respectively with the pipes E 'and E and F and F.

When the piston of the valve is at either end of its stroke, the connections, though quite different from those stated, are so similar that it will be sufficient to describe the connections when the piston of the valve is at one end, as for example, at the 'right end thereof, 2'. e., witlrthe piston-rod. moved to the right to the extremity of its move ment.

In this position, the piston carries the packing 23 beyond the openings 19, so that the inlet is cut off from the outlet 50. Hovn ever, this does not affect the connection of the inlet with the outlet 50, inasmuch the apertures 19 and, pcrmissibly, 19 also, are in communication with the spaces 41 and 42 which directly connect with the outlet 50.

The movement of the piston connects outlet 50 with the exhaust while continuin to maintain the seal between both the inlet and outlet 50 from the exhaust. The connection of outlet 50 with the exhaust takes place because apertures 34 are carried beyond packing 46, giving passage through open end 33', annular space 32, apertures 34.. space 48 and apertures 49 to the exhaust branch 13. That the shifting of the piston does not aflect the sealing between outlet 50 and the exhaust by the packing 46 is clear, since this packing rides on the exterior surface of the body of the shell 29 first, and subsequently upon the exterior of the extension 30 thereof, constantly cutting off the outlet 50 and space 41 from communication with the exhaust.

The result is that in neutral, middle or central piston position both outlets are connected with the inlet; but in whichever direction the valve piston is moved from. its central position, 2'. 6., at whichever extremity of its stroke, the outlet nearest that end of the valve is connected to exhaust and the connection. of the other outlet with the inlet is maintained. ln other words, in neutral valve position both outlets are at pressure, but at each end of piston movement one outlet is at pressure and the other at exhaust. the outlet nearest the end of the valve to which the piston is moved being the outlet at exhaust. With the construction shown it should. be noted that the direction of piston movement is just the reverse of the direction of movement of the operating lever.

Taking up next the fluid-operated main valves E and B which are of identical con struction, but of different size, and may therefore both be represented by Fig. 3: The body of the valve is provided with an inlet opening 56, corresponding; with B and. B an exhaust 57 corresponding with B and B and an outlet 58, corresponding; with o and c. The last communicates with the cylinder or cylinders to which the operating valve is to be connected and whose piston or pistons it is to actuate. The smaller valve 13 is connected to actuate but one cylinder, C, but the larger like valve B is connected to actuate two cylinders, C and C here shown as of the same size as C.

Opposite ends of the valves, 13 and .B, are effective duplicates, notwithstanding that, for convenience in construction, merely,

there is a reversal of position of the parts which carry the packing.

The piston rod carries the packing at the left hand end of the valve, as shown, whereas, the casing or cylinder of the valve carries the peeking at the right hand end. ()bviously, this is a mere reversal and could be arranged to upon the same part, either piston or cyl inder.

At the left hand end of the body of the valve, as shown, the cylinder is lined by a bushing 59, whose flange 60 engages a corresponding shoulder in the body of the valve. The bushing is apertnred at 61, to communicate with an annular chamber 62, which, in turn, is in fluid communication with the inlet 56 of the valve.

At the right hand end, a similar function is performed by a sleeve 59, which is apertured at61 to afford communication with the exhaust 57.

The shell 59 retains packing 63, between itself and the body of the valve to seal between them. It also retains packing (id for engagement with the valve piston.

At the left hand end, the head 65 closes the end of the valve, except for a central opening for a special piston hereinafter described. Packing 66 seals the joint between them.

In conjunction with packing 66, a corresponding head 65 seals the right hand end, except for a central opening for a special piston hereinafter described. The head 65 also assists in retaining packing 67 and 66 the former to seal against the piston and the latter to seal against the sleeve 59. The heads 65 and 65, are provided respectively with operating fluid connections,

69, corresponding to branches E and E,, and 69, corresponding to branches F and F,, communicating with spaces 7 O and 7 O in the ends of the valve, and at their oppo site ends, receiving fluid from or exhausting through the outlets of pilot valves A. and A respectively, by which the actuating valves B and B are immediately controlled.

For the purpose of centering the valve pistons, as more fully explained hereinafter, I apply special cylinders at the two ends of the valve body, shown at 72 and 72, and held in position by bolts 71, 71. The cylinders are bushed as at 73, 73 and their interiors are connected with the pilot valve by operating fluid connections 74, corresponding to branches E and E and 74, corresponding to branches F and F,, respectively, through heads 75 and 7 5 retained by bolts 76, 7 6. Both of the cylinders are provided with bleeder ports 77 77 to allow the escape of fluid trapped beneath the pistons. The heads are packed at 7 8, 7 8.

The main piston rod7 9 of each main valve place the packing for both ends most positions.

upon the sleeve 81. Likewise, a flange upon the sleeve 81 and a flange 91 upon the sleeve 82 retain packing 92 between them. The packings 88 and 92 both seal against the interior of the bushing 59.

At its right hand end, the sleeve 82 carries two oppositely directed cups 93 and 9%, whose external surface engages packings 6 and 67. The cup 93 is apertured at 95 for a purpose hereinafter explained.

Rememberingthat the pilot valves normally apply pressure upon both of the outlets in each case, i. 0. upon E and E and upon F and F, respectively, and that, there fore the main valve connections 69 and 69 are 'both subjectto pressure through the pilot valves when the pilot valve pistons are therefore, under those circumstances, stay in the positions in which they have been initially placed. it is for this reason, and to protect from improper movement to one end in case of unequal diameters from faulty workmanship or unequal wear, that additional centering means is provided for ensuring central position when the pressure is applied to both'ends of the valve in the position of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

For centering purposes I utilize additional pistons which are mounted to operate in the supplemental cylinders 7 2 and 7 2 and which comprise piston rods 96, 96 packed at 97, 97 and carrying pistons 98, 98. Their construction will be sufficiently evident from the illustration without detailed explanation, further than to point out that they are provided with packing rings 99, 99'.

The length of the main piston rod is such that in a central position it lies between these auxiliary piston rods in their inner- VVhen the main piston is floating under equal pressures, from the two pilot valve connections 69, 69, if it be out of its central position, one or other of the auxiliary pistons 96 and 96 will engage it to move it to the central position and this movement will meet with no resistance on the part of the other auxiliary piston. The auxiliary pistons intermittently receive pressure through and are connected to'exhaust through connections 74 and 74' which are connected respectively, with the same pilot valve connections as 69 and 69, so that both 69 and 74, acting as one pair, and 69' and 74: as another pair are at pressure or exhaust at the same time.

WVith pressure from any suitable accumulatoi" acting upon both ends of the valve, through connections 69 and 74: at one end and 69 and 74: at the other, the main piston will be restrained in its central position seen in Fig. 3 where the inlets 56 from an accumulator or other source of pressure supply for the cylinders C, C, C though having access to space 100, are cut ofl from the outlets 58 leading to these cylinders from the two valves by packing 92, and where the connections 58 from these cylinders to the valves though having access to spaces 101 and 102, are cut oil" from their exhausts 57 by packing 64.

But when both ends of valve B or B are at exhaust, through pilot valve connections 69, i l, 69' and 74: the main piston is allowed to float in the position which it last occupied. In order not to interfere with full control. of the mechanism being operated by the companion valve B or B, it is desirable that the floating position be that providing for exhaust of the cylinder or cylinders so as to avoid interference of water trapped in the cylinder or cylinders controlled by it with the operation of the cylinders or cylinder actuated by the other valve.

it now, accumulator pressure be applied to the upper end (Fig. 1) of the main valve piston (the left end in Fig. 3) through the pilot connections 69 and 7d, and the connec tions 69 and T l to the pilot valves be ex hausted, the piston 79 will move downwardly (Fig. l, to the right in Fig. 3) and the fluid in the cylinders C or cylinders C and C as the case may be, will be placed in communication with the exhaust 57 through outlet 58, spaces 101 and 1.02, apertures 95, space 61 apertures 61 and space 62. In the meantime at the upper (Fig, l, lett hand in 8) end of the valve, the inlet intensifier pressure, still connected with the annular space 100 can not pass packing 99 preventing admission of motive fluid to either oi the cylinders. As a result the cylinders C or C and C will be placed at exhaust.

If, on the other hand, the pressure from the pilot valve connection he applied to the operating valve at the bottom (Fig. 1, right hand in Fig. 3) through the pilot valve connections 69 and 74 to lift the piston 79 in the position shown in Fig. 1, moving it to the left in Fig. 3, the connection 58 with the cylinder C or cylinders C and C will be sealed against exhaust through the exhaust opening 57 by the packing 64: against the exterior surface of the cup 94. But. the packing 92 will now have passed to the l ftof the openings so that the inlet 56 will be connected with the outlet 58 through the openings 61 and space 101. This applies accumulator pressure to the cylinder C or cylinders C and C to which 58 is connected.

In considering the operation it is well to keep in mind that the pilot valve levers move in the opposite direction to their pistons; that in neutral pilot valve position the accumulator pressure distributed by it is applied to both outlets, that the only effect of movement of the pilot (distributing) valve piston is to connect the outlet'at the end toward which it moves with exhaust; that the main valve piston moves toward the opposite end of the valve from that to which the distributing valve (accumulator) pressure is applied; that movement of the pistons up (Fig. l, to the left in Fig. 3) in valves B and 13 applies accumulator pressure to the cylinders C, C and C that movement of the pistons down in valves B and B places these cylinders at exhaust; and that the distributing valve (accumulator) pressure will ordinarily be very much lower than the accumulator pressure by which the pistons in cylinders QC and C are operated.

Taking up now the different positions assumed by the parts for the several operations desired, I will discuss first the operation of the system when both of the pilot (distributing) valves A anc A have their pistons in the neutral or central position, so that both of the outlets 01" each valve are connected to apply the pressure within the valves to the valves B and B with which they are connected. So long as the piston of master pilot A is in neutral position, there will be pressure from the inlet (accumulator) source A, through pipes D and D upon the inlets of both of the valves A and A with the result that all of the pipes E, F and E F will be under pressure and there will be equal pressure upon each end of each of the valves B and B. The piston in these two valve-Swill be held in the central or neutral position and the outlets c and 0 from the two valves B and B respectively to the cylinders C and C, C will he cut off both from their accumulator inlets and from their exhausts. The pistons in the cylinders (3,,(1, and C will all remain in the positions which they occupied when the pilot valve pistons were set as indicated.

)Vith the same condition of neutral or central positions of the pistons in distribut-- ing valves A and A if the piston in valve A be now moved to the upper position therein, the pressure of the inlet accumulator fluid admitted through A, will still remain upon the connection D, but the connection I) will be exhausted through the exhaust A of valve A. There will then he pressure from the accumulatorwithin valve A; and

through it, upon connections E and E to the upper ends of valves B and B, while the interior of pilot valve A will be exhausted, and through it and connections F and F the lower ends of valves B and B will be exhausted. The pistons in the valves B and B will both be moved to the downward position or lower position in the figure, 71. 6., to the right in Fig. 8, connecting all three cylinders C, C and C to the exhaust B and B respectively, through these two valves and allowing the common cross head secured to the pistons in the three cylinders to lower.

Vith the same condition of neutral or central positions of the pistons in the two distributing valves A, A it the piston in the master pilot valve A be lowered connection D will be placed to exhaust through the exhaust of the valve A and the connection D will be under pressure with the result that the interior of pilot valve A" will be connected to the exhaust, whereas the interior of pilot valve A will be at pressure, applying pressure through pipes F and F upon the lower (Fig. 1, right hand end, Fig. 3) of both of the valves B and B, lifting the main pistons in both of these valves and thereby connecting the cylinders C, C and G with the accumulator inlet connections B, and B, and lifting the pistons in all three of the cylinders G, C and C.

It now the two pistons in the distributing valves A and A be thrown to the upper position in Fig. 1 (to the right in Fig. 2) by pulling down on the lever A, there will be direct exhaust through these valves for the fluid in pipes E and F, resulting in the piston of valve B becoming a floater, that is this piston will remain in the position in which it was at the time this change took place, most desirably providing exhaust from cylinders C and C The pipes E and F from the lower outlet of these two distributing pilot valves connecting with the valve B will be in position to apply pressure to either or both of the ends of this valve B.

If the piston of the master pilotvalve A be in neutral position, both of these pipes E and F will receive pressure and the piston in the valve B will be held in neutral position by reason of the pressure at both ends, resulting in the cylinder C being closed both to inlet of accumulator pressure and from exhaust.

If the piston of the'master pilot valve A be moved upwardly, so as to exhaust the connection D, it will correspondingly exhaust the pipe F through valves A, connection D and valve A, exhausting the lower end of the valve B, with the result that the pressure through the connection D, valve A, pipe E and branches E,, E 2 through the top of the valve B will move its piston downwardly, (in Fig. 1, to the right of Fig. 3), connecting the exhaust B, with the cylinder C and exhausting it.

Likewise, it the piston in master pilot valve A be lowered, the connection D is put to exhaust position reversing conditions and exhausting the upper end of the valve B, instead of the lower end, resulting in a movement of the piston within this valve B upwardly and connection of the cylinder C with the inlet intensifier pressure through this valve.

It will be seen that movement of both of the pistons in the distributing valves A. and A upwardly results in leaving the piston in valve B as a float-er and making it possible to operate valve B alone, holding the piston in the cylinder C in the position already set, or raising or exhausting from it as desired.

0n the other hand, it the pistons in the distributing valves A and A be lowered instead by upward movement of the handle A,, it will result in making the valve B a floater with its piston resting where last moved, by placing the connection E, F to exhaust through the exhausts of these valves A and A"; T he operation of valve B may then be controlled by master pilot valve A. This master pilot valve will hold the piston of valve B in central position to maintain existing conditions in cylinders C and 0 when the piston of the master pilot valve is in neutral position and will apply pressure to or exhaust cylinders C and C together, according to whether the piston in valve A is moved downwardly or upwardly, the connections being in every way similar to the connections already described for operation of the valve B, when the piston of valve B is a floater;

It will be evident from the above description that the valves B and B can be operated together, controlling the pistons in cylinders C, C and C all at the same time, thus giving a maximum of pressure, or the piston in cylinder C alone can be operated by operating the valve B alone, leaving the piston in valve B as a floater, or the pistons in cylinders C and C can be operated without operating the piston in cylinder C by use of the valve B, while the piston in valve B is left as a floater. Since the cross head unites the pistons ot the three cylinders C,

C and C three diiterent pressures are plicable to it and to the plungers of the tour intensifier cylinders above it.

lit will be further evident that the several operations of both valves B, B together, or either valve alone, to produce the three different pressures described, is determined initially by the setting of the pistons of distributing valves A and A through the handle A leaving the final control of the system, as so set, to the master pilot valve A.

It will be evident that one great advantage of my invention lies in the fact that all three cylinders G, C and C are capable of operation together Without the necessity oi having any one valve large enough for all of the accumulator water required for the three cylinders to pass through it, as in the prior use of two valves in series, each capable of handling the entire flow or" water from the intensifier.

It Will be further evident that the proportioning of the valves B and B to the requirements of the single cylinder and two cylinders respectively supplied and exhausted by them enables each to be designed to handle a. predetermined quantity of Water, different for the difl e'rent valves, at a predetermined rate of flow, securing the most desirable speed of Water flow and avoiding injury to the valves. This also is highly advantageous as compared with the use of a single valve for all three Cylinders and for the single or two cylinder operation. In this case, With a single valve, when a large valve capable of handling the water for all three cylinders must be used to handle the Water for one or two cylinders only, the designer is confronted with the necessity either of making the rate of speed of flow excessive, ivh'en the Water for all three of the cylinders is passing through the valve, in order to obtain a moderate flow only at the other time. On the other hand. with a single *alve, if the speed of flow be proportioned for the three cylinders, so as not to have excessive speed when all three are being handled at the same time, the valve is operating at a rate of flow of only one third or two thirds of its capacity When but one cylinder or only two cylinders are being operated. v

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: V v

1. In a control system for cylinders haviiig pistons operating upon a common crosshead, a plurality of cylinders havinp their pistons operated together in combination With main valves for controllingadmis ion of fluid to and exhaust from different cylinders thereof and separate fluid-operated control for the mainvalvesQ 4 2. In a control system for cylinders with pistons connected to a common crosshead. a plurality of cylinders having their pistons operating together in combination with separate fluid-operated main valves for controlling admission of fluid to and exhaust from diflercnt cylinders of the set. I

In a control system tor cylinders With pistons connected to a common crosshead, a plurality o't cylinders having their pistons operating together in combination with separate flair1 0pemted main valves for controlling admission of fluid to and exhaust from difierent cylinders of the set and valve means for controlling the main valves to operate them either singly or together.

i. In a control system for cylinders having pistons operating upon a common crosshead, a plurality of cylinders having their pistons operated together in combination with main valves for controlling admission of fluid to and exhaust from different cylinders thereof, separate fluid-operated means for controlling the main valves and common control for said fluid-operating means.

5. In pilot control for actuating valves, three cylinders in line, in combination with separate fluid-operated valves for controlling the middle cylinder and outside cylinders respectively and common valve control for said valves.

6. In a. control system for cylinders ivith pistons connected to a common crosshead, a plurality of cylinders having pistons op erating together, a source of fluid pressure therefor, main valves for different cylinders,

fluid pressure connections at each end or each valve for operating the valve to apply pressure to and exhaust from the different cylinders, means for setting the fluid connections to place either end of either valve under pressure or an end of each valve with pressure and place the other end to exhaust and valve means for applying fluid pressure to the connections to operate the main valve or valves.

7. In a control system for cylinders with pistons connected to a. common crosshcad, a plurality of cylinders. a source of accumulator pressure therefor, tivo valves connected to supply accumulator pressure to or X haust, different cylinders of the set, a piston in each valve, fluid operating connections for, the piston at each end of each valve, distributing valve means for grouping; the connections to operate either main valve sepa 'ately, or both together, and valve means for applying pressure, or placing to exhaust the connections so grouped or connected.

8. In a control system for cy .ders having pistons connected to a common crosshead, a plurality oi. cylinders, fluid pressure connections tlieretoiyseparate main valves controlling inlet toand exhaust from ditferent cylindersand pilot and d' ributing valve mecha11isu.., the main valves adapt? ed to control either valve separately or the two valves together.

9. Ina control system for cylinders having pistons connected to a common cro s head, three low-pressure intensifier cylinders in line. a valve For controlling the middle cylinder, a separate valve for actuating the end cylinders. fluid pressure and exhaust connections for the two valves. a piston in each valve, fluid-operating connections at each end of each valve for operation of the pistons, distributing valve means for grouping the connections to actuate either valve separately, or both valves together, and Valve mechanism for applying pressure upon the connections so grouped, and exhausting the same.

10. In a control system for cylinders having pistons connected to a common crosshead, a plurality of cylinders, separate main valves applying pressure to and exhausting '10 from different cylinders, a piston in each main valve, fluid-operating connections for each piston, hand-set distributing valve means for predetermining which valve shall be operated, or that both valves shall be operated, and pilot valve means for operating the valve or valves so selected.

11. In a control system for cylinders having. pistons connected to a common crosshead, three intensifier cylinders in line, a

'20 main valve for applying pressure to and exhausting from the middle cylinder thereof, a larger actuating valve for applying pressure to and exhausting from the two end 'cyllnders, a fluid-operated piston in each valve and common fluid control and connec tions for moving one or both pistons in either direction. a

12. In a control system for cylinders having pistons connected to a common crosshead, three intensifier cylinders in line, a

main valve for applying pressure to and exhausting from the middle cylinder thereof, a larger actuating valve for applying pressure to and exhausting from the two end cylinders, a fluid-operated piston in each valve and common fluid control and connections for selectively determining which valve shall be operated or that both shall be operated and subsequently operating the valve or valves.

13. In a control system for cylinders having pistons connected to a commn cross head, three intensifier cylinders in line, a main valve for applying pressure to and exhausting from the middle cylinder thereof, a larger actuating valve for applying pressure to and exhausting from the two end cylinders, a fluid-operated piston in each valve and common fluid control and connections comprising distributing valve means for preliminarily selecting the valve or valves to be operated and a pilot valve for operating the one or ones selected.

14:. In a control system for cylinders having pistons connected to a common crosshead, three intensifier cylinders in line, a main valve for applying pressure to and exhausting from the middle cylinder thereof, a larger main valve for applying pressure to and exhausting from the two end cylinders, a fluid-operated piston in each valve and common fluid control and connections comprising a pair of pilot valves, each connected with corresponding ends of the two main valves, the ends being different for the two pilot valves, hand-operated means for setting the pilot valves to determine which main valve is to be operated or that both are to be operated, and a pilot valve for applying the pressure to or exhausting it from the connections so formed.

15. In a control system for cylinders having pistons connected to a common crosshead, a plurality of cylinders, fluid-operated valve control for actuating di'lferent cylinders, connections for predetermining which cylinder or cylinders shall be actuated, and valve means for applying pressure to or exhausting it from the connections for these actuating valves, as so set.

16. In a control system for cylinders having interlinked pistons connected to a common crosshead, a plurality of cylinders, pistons therein adapted to operate in unison, separate fluid-operated main valves for controlling inlet to and exhaust from different cylinders thereof, distributing valve mechanism connected therewith, set as a unit to determine the main valve to be operated or that both shall be operated and valve mechanism for applying pressure to and exhausting the distributing valve mechanism.

17. In a control system for cylinders having interlinked pistons connected to a cornmon crosshead, three cylinders in line, the piston rods of which operate in unison, a main valve controlling inlet to and exhaust from the middle cylinder, a larger main valve controlling inlet to and exhaustfrom the outside cylinders, main and supplemental pistons in both valves, fluid operating connections for the two ends of each valve applying pressure to the main and auxiliary pistons, distributing mechanism to which said connections are joined, adapted to operate in unison and provide through connections to operate either valveseparately, or both valves together, and valve mechanism for applying pressure and atfording exhaust to and from the connections so made.

18. In a control system for cylinders having interlinked pistons connected to a common crosshead, three cylinders in line, a main valve for operating the middle cylinder, fluid pressure connections thereto, a larger main valve for operating the end cylinders, fluid pressure and exhaust connections therefor, a pair of distributing pilot valves, connections from one of said distributing pilot valves to corresponding ends of both of the main valves, connections from the other of said distritbuting pilotvalves to the opposite corresponding ends of both main valves, pistons in said main valves controlled by the fluid pressure through said connections from the distributing pilot valves, pistons in both of the distributing pilot valves and operating 'connections for the distributing valve pistons for setting the pilot valves for application of pressure and exhaust through the pilot valves to both of said main valves at the same time, to actuate the pistons in all three cylinders, or to either one of the main valves alone to actuate it and allow the piston in the other valve to act as a floater.

19. In a control system for cylinders having pistons connected to a common crosshead, three cylinders in line, a main valve for operating the middle cylinder, fluidi pressure connections thereto, a larger main valve for operating the end cylinders, fluid pressure and exhaust connections therefor, a pair of distributing pilot valves, connections from one of said distributing pilot valves to corresponding ends oi? both of the main valves, connections from the other of said distributing pilot valves to the opposite corresponding ends of both main valves, pistons in said main valves controlled by the fluid pressure through said connec' tions from the distributing pilot valves, pistons in both of the distributing pilot valves, operating connections for the distributing valve pistons for setting the pilot valves for application of pressure and exhaust through the pilot valves to both of said main valves at the same time, to actuate the pistons in all three cylinders, or to either one of the main valves alone to actuate it and allow the piston. in the other valves to act as a floater and master pilot controlling admission and exhaust to and from the distributing pilot valves, as so set.

20. In a control system for cylinders hav ing pistons connected to a common crosshead, three main cylinders in line, the pistons thereof being interconnected, a main valve for the center cylinder, pressure connections therefor, a main valve of approximately double the capacity of the first valve for the two end cylinders pressure connections and exhaust there 'or, a piston in each of the main valves, and hand-set fluid pressure control for said pistons, providing operation of either main valve separately to admit and exhaust fluid to and from the single cylinder alone, or to and from both outside cylinders, or to actuate both valves for admission and exhaust of fluid to and from all three cylinders.

21. In a control system for cylinders having pistons connected to a common crosshead, three cylinders in line, a fluidoperated main valve controlling inlet to and exhaust from the central cylinder, a similar valve of approximately double capacity for controlling inlets to and outlets from the outer cylinders, connections for fluid pressure supply to and for exhaust from each of said valves, a main piston in each valve adapted in central position to close the inlet to and exhaust from the cylinder or cylinders actuated by said valve, and in opposite end positions to provide pressure inlet or exhaust for said cylinder or cylinders, fluid operating mechanism for said piston moving it to either end and supplemental end pistons in both valves adapted to hold the main piston in each valve in central position and the other end is exhausted, a cylinder at each end of the valve, a supplemental piston in each cylinder, pressure connections within said cylinder in parallel with the pressure connections at corresponding ends of the main piston and pilot valve control for maintaining pressure upon both ends of the valve and supplemental cylinders or upon either end with exhaust at the other, as preferred.

23. In pilot valve control. for actuating valves, a cylinder, a main valve therefor, having fluid pressure connections and ex haust therefrom, a main piston in said valve controlling the fluid passage therethrough, fluid pressure and exhaust connections at opposite ends thereof to balance the main piston when pressure is applied at both ends, and to move it in either direction, as the pressure is applied at the opposite end and the other end is exhausted, a cylinder at each end of the valve, a supplemental piston in each cylinder, pressure connections Within said cylinder in parallel with the pressure connections at corresponding ends of the main piston, other cylinders grouped about the first cylinder and having their pistons interconnected with the piston of the first cylinder, a similar actuating valve, for the other cylinders, main pistons for the second valve, cylinders at opposite ends thereof, auxiliary pistons for said second valve, simi lar fluid pressure connections for said second valve, distributing valves and connections for predetermining the distribution of valve-operating fluid to control either valve alone, or to control both in unison, and an operating valve and connections tor applying pressure and permitting exhaust to and from the distributing valves and connections as so set.

HENRI P. L. LAUSSUCQ. 

